Photographic shutter

ABSTRACT

An improved photographic shutter mechanism has a driving force which operates exposure aperture defining segments and also operates a first and second mechanical part. The second part, operatively connected to the aperture defining segments, is spring biased to follow the movement of the first part. A setter mechanism is provided with respective control cam surfaces which coact with the first and second parts to determine the time of shutter operation and the extent of the aperture defined by the segments.

Umted States Patent 1 1 1111 3,709,136

Straub 14 1 Jan. 9, 1973 54] PHOTOGRAPHIC SHUTTER 3,323,433 6/1967Pelikan ....95/63 x Inventor: Helm." Straub, Hofen/Enz" Gap 3,437,0274/1969 Straub ....95/63 X y FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [731 Assign:Pmnmr-werk Alfred Gauthier 1,153,615 8/1963 Germany ..95/62 G.m.b.H.,Calmbach/Schwarzwald, Germany Primary Examiner-Joseph F. Peters, Jr.[22] Filed; Jam 29 1971 AttorneyArthur A. March and K. M. Lefever Animproved photographic shutter mechanism has a [30] Fore'gn ApphcatonPnomy Data driving force which operates exposure aperture defin- Feb. 7,1970 Germany ..P 20 05 718.5 ng eg ents and also per tes a first andsecond mechanical part. The second part, operatively con- [52] U.S.C1...95/62,95/11.5 R,95/64C nected to the aperture defining segments, isspring [51] Int. Cl. ..G03b 9/14, G03b 9/70 iased to follow the movementof the first part. [58] new of Search "95/53 A setter mechanism isprovided with respective control cam surfaces which coact with the firstand [56] References Cited second parts to determine the time of shutteroperation and the extent of the aperture defined by the segments.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN 9I975' 3'709'136 SHEET 1 OF 3PATENTEDJAN 9 I876 SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR Helmu! Sfraub Arthur A. March ATTORNE Y PATENTEDJAN ems 3.7091136 SHEET 3 [IF 3 J APEZTl/EE I 7/4451/30 fl' i INVE N TOR Helm ut Stro'qb Arthur A. March ATTORNEY 1PHOTOGRAPHIC SHUTTER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to aphotographic shutter with a novel drive system, a system which drivesthe segments, for opening the lens passage and for the formation ofvariable focusing apertures, into a more or less substantial back andforth movement. I

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The problem to be solved is based on thefact that a shutter of the above type has to be constructed, withoutconsiderable effort, into a simple, inexpensive, but neverthelesswell-functioning diaphragm with well coordinated time-diaphragm values,and which controls a large focusing value region, far superior tocomparable simple shutter arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This problem is solved, according to theinvention, by supplying a member moving back and forth over a constantdistance under the influence of a driving force and providing thismember with another member biased into contact therewith under theinfluence of a driving spring, whose'force or bias can be overcome bythe driving force of the first member. This second member follows themovement of the first member, and is lockingly connected with thesegments and also cooperates with a setter, more or less limiting theextent of movement of the segments. In this manner, the concept of atime-shutter program diaphragm, having optimum characteristics inconstruction and function, may be accomplished, which, in addition tothe simple and well functioning construction, is distinguished by a widefocusing value range, available up to now only in diaphragm systems of ahigher price range.

Essentially, this favorable result resides in the advantageouscooperation of the fast moving first member, with the second memberfollowing the first by its own moving drive. The secondmember is more orless limitable regarding its extent of movement,

' It should also be emphasized that the advantageous effects obtainedare made possible by the fact that the mass of the segments," includingthe parts moving together and also the actuatable drive means, may be sochosen that, in case of a weak restraining force influencing the drivingsystem, the segments, which are in opening motion, are interceptable atthe formation of a minimum aperture, say, one corresponding toapproximately a diaphragm value of 22" which is coupled with anextremely short exposure time. Due to the rapid termination of movementof the first member of only a small mass, the necessity arises to-exposethe same, when setting the shortest,exposure time, to the 'dition for aconstant regulation of the time region from the shortest to the longesttime interval is achieved. Consequently, the so-called jump" is avoided,which, in known shutter systems, occurs at the transition of shuttertimes, with or without the influence ofa retarding mechanism.

As viewed from the functional standpoint, a particularly advantageousand simple construction of the inventive shutter can be achieved in themanner that both the first member, moving back and forth, and also theinfluence of a retarding mechanism, whereby the consecond memberfollowing the first, are formed as pivotable lever. In addition, thesetter includes a control cam in the path of the second member,determining its oscillation limit.

According to another feature of the invention, one is able, withrelatively simple means, to achieve a constant control of the time rangeof the inventive shutter system by providing the first member with aretarding mechanism, controllable by a time setter, thus influencingthis member through the entire time range. This arrangement avoids thedisadvantage of known shutter systems, where the shortest exposure timeis set by unretarded operation of the driving system, while, whensetting longer exposure times, a retarding arrangement starts to actwhich, as well known, leads to unavoidable irregularities in timesetting in the transition range.

According to another feature of the invention, the regulating elementprovided with a control cam for determining the diaphragm apertureformed by the segment, is closely connected with the controlling elementcarrying the control cam. In another advantageous manner it is possible,as far as the construction of the diaphragm permits, to use a regulatingelement, which is provided both with the control cam for determining thesize, of the diaphragm aperture and with a further control cam for timecontrol.

7 In order to achive, with flash-light pictures with the inventivediaphragm, an exact contact of the flash-light arrangement, it may beprovided that the segments cooperate with a contact switch forelectronic flash ignition, which, when reaching the preset diaphragmaperture defined by the segments, closes the circuit. In a especiallysimple and effective way this can be achieved if the regulating elementsprovided with a control camfor shutter setting forms part of the contactswitch. Thereby it is assured that, when the segments occupy theaperture width corresponding to the preset diaphragm aperture, contactof the flash arrangement takes place.

According to another feature of the invention, requiring only a slightconstructional effort, the selector supplied with the control cam forshutter setting is isolated, while the member coupled with the segmentscarries a contact pin advancing the control cam of the setter.

Finally, an advantageous feature of the invention is that the springassigned to the second number is so determined that the aperturedefining time of the segments, until complete opening, amounts to only afew ms about 5 ms. This is an advantage for flash lamp ignition,sincethe same can also take place with the electronic flash contact,because the time difference between diaphragm apertures 22-" and 2.8"amounts to only a few ms., the most to about 5 ms. and the apertureforming time of the shutter, in the same manner as with known apertureforming times of the shutter, is only shorter by a few ms. that the theeffective time, in this case, the flash time 1/30 sec.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Details of the invention are describedbelow and shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a shutter arrangement constructed as a self-cockingshutter in initial position;

FIG. 2 shows the shutter during its entire cycle in reverse phase,whereby the segments form a diaphragm aperture corresponding to thesetting;

FIG. 3 shows details of the shutter in zero setting, with the setterbeing a component of a flash contact arrangement;

FIG. 4 shows the same arrangement in which the intermediate position ofthe contact member engaged by the segments is brought about by thecontact;

FIG. 5 shows light-time diagrams with shutter limits; and

FIG. 6 shows a diaphragm constructed as a cooking shutter, whose member,moved back and forth, is driven by a spring-driven assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The drawing is limitedparticularly to the illustration of the constructive parts essentiallynecessary for the understanding of the function and design of thediaphragm.

Reference numeral 1 designates the ground plate serving for the fixingand placing of components of the diaphragm, which is supplied with anaperture 2. In the ground plate 1 of the diaphragm arrangement which,according to FIGS. 1 4, may be construed as a selfeocking shutter, thereis provided a cocking and release lever 3, which pivots about a pin 4and can be brought manually, against the influence of a reverse spring5, into cocking and release positions (FIG. 2). A doublearmed drivelever 7 cooperates with the cocking and release member 3, which lever 7is pivotal on a pin 6. Also, the above mentioned cocking and releaselever 3 is provided at its end towards the drive lever 7, with aprojection 3a, provided with an inclined edge. This acts, during cockingof the lever 3, (designated by the arrow in FIG. 1) on the adjacent armlever arm 7a of the drive lever which, thereby by increasing cockingmoment of a drive spring 8, engaging the same, is brought into cockedposition. The other arm drive lever 7b of, cooperates with a part 9,which pivots about a stationary pin and which, driven by the drivelever, moves back and forth around its pivot pin. For this purpose, thepart 9, on one side of pivot pin 10 is provided with a projection 9awith an inclined edge and, on the other side of the pin 10 with a stop9b.

Moving 9, which, upon termination of the cycle moves back and forth aconstant distance subject to the fixed position of the range of motionof the attachments 9a and 9b, cooperates with a further part 12, whichis preferably formed as a lever and is pivotal on a pin 13. A couplingpin 14 is fixed on the free moving end of this lever, and, by way ofapin slot connection, engages oscillatable segments 15 and 16 on theground plate 1. Under the influence of a drive spring 18, engaging themember 12, the coupling pin 14, in the initial position of the shutter,(FIG. 1), engages a finger-like extension 90 of the lever 9. The drivespring 18 must be chosen in such relation to the driving force acting onthe drive lever 7 that the latter always overcomes the drive spring 18which acts against the starting action when closing the segments l5, 16.Besides it should be so determined that the aperture forming time of thesegments l5 and l6amounts to only a few ms., in about the range of 5 ms.In addition to the coupling pin 14 engaging segments 15 and 16, thesecond part, that is the lever 12, is provided on its freely moving endwith a further pin 19. This latter pin cooperates, as will be describedlater in detail, with a control cam 200 on the setter 20, more or lesslimiting the oscillating extent of part 12. This cam can be adjustedrelative to part 12. In order to achieve absolute accuracy of therespective diaphragm apertures (FIG. 2) formed by the segments 15 and 16at the end of the opening movement, the control cam 20a is preferablyconstructed as a step-like curve. While there could also be used asteplessly advancing control cam for reasons of the achievement andsetting up a well-defined exposure and shutter values, the step-likeconstruction, however is preferable. This is also important for thecoupling and coordination of shutter-time values of a program device.

In order to achieve variable shutter times, the drive lever 7 isprovided with a time regulating mechanism. This mechanism which iseffective over the entire exposure time range (FIGS. 1 and 2) may beconstructed for example, of a two-armed segment lever 21. This lever ispivoted on a pin 22 and is influenced by a reversing spring 23 whichexercises a constant clockwise turning movement on the same. A segmentgear arm of lever 21 meshes with a pinion 24 angularly displaceable witha ratchet wheel 26, controllable by an escapement 25. The other arm oflever 21 is provided with a bent projection 21a, having an inclineddeflector edge over which a hook-shaped means on arm 70 of lever 7 isable to glide during cocking operation of this lever, following which(FIG. 2) means 70 falls behind the edge of projection 21a. For settingthe requiredshutter time in combination with the shutter aperture valueassigned to the shutter time the segment-lever 21 carries a pin 27which, under the bias of spring 23 engaging the lever, engages atime-control cam 20b of the setter 20. According to the required shuttertimeshutter aperture combination, the constructionof the time controlcam 20b and its relationship to the shutter control cam 200 may be suchthat the smallest diaphragm aperture, formed by the segments 15 and 16,which, e.g., may correspond to the shutter value 22", is coupled withthe shortest exposure time value, for example l/250 sec., and thelargest diaphragm aperture formed by the segments, corresponding, forinstance, to 2.8", is coupled with the longest exposure values,determinable by the control cams 20a and 20b, there may be arranged, asshown in the aperture-time diaphragm in FIG. 5, shutter time-shutteraperture combinations, which are. suitable as intermediate values for aproper exposure.

Regarding the specific construction of the shutter control cam 20a,relative to the position of the lever 12, this can be such, that whensetting the shutter value 22,"it permits the smallest, and when focusingto the shutter value 2.8 the largest, oscillation movement of thesegments 15 and 16. The actual time-control cam 20b, for daylightphotography, the focusing range of which, as well as the shutteraperture control cam 20a, each identified in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a sunsymbol, can be connected to a further cam segment 20c, identified by azig-zag (lighting) symbol, which makes it possible to set the retardingmechanisms 21 to 27 to a shutter time suitable for flash pictures of,for example, l/30 sec. Supplementing this cam segment 20c, there may beprovided a control cam 20d on the setter 20 (only partially indicated inFIGS. 1 and 2), which permits the choice of the shutter aperture values,in day-time range, at one and the same flash time of H30, defined by thecam segment 20c. In addition, there may be provided a shutter-controlcam for B-focusing.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a construction in which both the aperture and timecontrol cams for exposure are formed on one and the same setter 20.However, if the construction of a diaphragm requires, these cams mayalso be arranged on different setters. However, in that case, thesesetters must be secured against relative rotation. The operation of theself-cocking shutter, described above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is asfollows:

' According to the required adjustment of a program setter (not shown)of the camera, the shutter control cam 200, formed on the setter 20,reaches a certain position relative to the lever 12 which is connectedwith the segments and 16, while the other time control cam b, providedon the'setter 20, transmits to the segment lever 21, an initial settingdetermining the retarding action on the drive lever 7. When the cockingand releasing lever 3 is actuated and moved in the direction of thearrow in FIG. 1, the projection 3a thereon picks up the drive lever 7,whereby, with simultaneous increase of the cocking moment of the drivespring 8, the hook 7c on the drive lever glides along the inclined edge21a of the segment lever 21, and the outer face of the lever arm 7b' ofthe drive lever glides along the inclined upward projection 9a of thepart 9, with the result that both ends of the drive lever are, to asteadily increasing extent, lifted out of the actual poane of motion.During turning movement of lever 7, finally, the hook 7c glides over thehighest part of the projection 21a to take its position behind the same.Also, the lever arm 7b, after overcoming the inclined edge 9a, isengaged, therebehind directly before the projection 30 of the cockingand release lever 3 is disengaged from the end of the drive lever 7facing projection 3a. If this takes place, the driving lever 7, drivenby the relatively increasingly stressed spring 8, pivots around the pin6 in counterclockwise direction, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2. At thestart of this motion cycle, the lever arm 7b of the drive lever 7 firstacts on the projection 9a of part 9 and moves the same, due to its smallmass, coun- 'terclockwise with high acceleration around the pin 10.Since the second part 12, being under the influence of the action of itsown drive spring 18, together with pin 14 connected with segments'IS andl6,is engaged the finger-like member 9c of the first part 9, the secondpartl2 directly follows the motion cycle of the first part 9. Due to theweaker construction of the drive spring 18, on the one hand, and tothe'relatively large accelerating masses of the-segments 15 and 16, onthe other hand, the second part 12 can follow the first only after aconstantly increasing interval. Thereby, sooner or later, the pin 19engages the step of the shutter control cam in its range of motion, withthe result that during the following shutter cycle, the segment system15, 16, forming the diaphragm aperture, stops. In this phase of motion,the lever arm 75 still engages the projection 90 on the part 9 but thendisengages projection 9a to immediately engage the projection 9b behindthe pin 10, whereby the direction of movement of part 9 is reversed andthe finger-like member is now driven in the opposite direction. Duringreverse movement the member 9c moves the coupling pin 14 in the oppositedirection overcoming of the action of the spring 18, and thereby movesthe segments 15 and 16 to closing position (FIG. 1). According to theexposure value set by setter 20, sooner or later, during the cycle ofthe drive lever 7, the hook 7c abuts against the projection 21a of thesegment lever 21 and pulls the same over a more or less large distance.This means that drive lever 7, effecting opening and closing of thesegments 15 and 16 through the turning angle range, depending on thesetting of the segment lever 21, is exposed to the influence of theretarding means 21-27, and thereby the time interval necessary foropening and closing segments 15, 16 is determined. If, thereafter, thecocking and releasing lever 3 returns from its cocking position into itsoriginal position, the projection 3a bypasses the outer surface of thedrive lever 7 and then, finally, takes the initial position shown inFIG. 1.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the setter 20, provided with the aperturecontrol cam 20d limiting the oscillation range of the second part 12,may be movably arranged on a part 30 which, in contrast to the setteritself, is constructed of an electrically non-conductive material. Thisinsulated setter 20, and the pin 19, fixedly ar' ranged on the secondpart 12, form the contact switch of a flash contact arrangement (notshown) which transmits, with absolute certainty, an ignition impulsecorresponding to the setting of the aperture value, when the contact pin19, engages the step of the shutter control cam 20b determining settingof the diaphragm aperture, and the segments 15 and 16 (FIG. 4) open thelens passage for exposure of the film. For the galvanic connection ofthe metal setter 20 with a source of energy for generating the ignitionimpulse (not shown), a slider 31 engages the setter which isgalvanically connected, over a circuit 32, with one of the terminals ofthe source of energy. It is self-evident that a contact is alsoestablished if the contact pin 19 engages one of the steps of theshutter control cam 20a for the day-light range, whereby thephotographer has the opportunity to take flash pictures by using anelectronic flash member.

FIG. 6 shows a program shutter constructed as a cocking shutter which,in function anddesign, is in principle identical with that of theconstruction of FIGS. 1-4. Only the starting mechanism is differentlychosen, namely, in that the first part 33, opening and again closing thesegments 15 and 16, is operated by way ofa drive assembly 34, driven bya spring or motor 7 to have a back and forth motion.-The drive assemblyis in connection with an adjusting cam 35 with which, under the effectof a reversing spring 36, one of the arms of the first part 33 isengaged. The other arm of the first part 33, pivotal on a pin 37, worksin the same manner as in the construction already described inconnection with FIGS. 1-4, together with the second part 38, connectedfor movement with the segments 15' and 16, which is biased by a spring39 in such a manner that the pin 40, coupled with the segments, isengaged with the lever arm of the first part assigned to the same. Thesecond part 38, supplied with a striking contact pin 41, isalsoassociated with a setter 20, having a shutter control cam 28a and atime control cam 20b.

In the range of movement of the control cam 20b there is provided aretarding mechanism which is formed of a pivotal segment lever 42 biasedby a spring 44 and which, on the one hand, carries a pin 44, engagingthe control cam and, on the other hand, is engaged with a pinion 45 byway of a segment gear. The pinion is fixedly connected with a ratchetwheel 46, which is provided with an escapement 47. Finally, a side edgeon the segment lever 42 is arranged in the path of motion of a drive pin48 fixed on a rotating part of the moving mechanism 34. Thereby, thesegment lever 42 may be influenced by the time control cam 20b, in itsset position, in a way that the pin 48, during the following terminationof the cycle of the moving mechanism 34, more or less must dislodge thesegment lever 42.

What is claimed is:

1. A photographic shutter with a driving system, havingaperture-defining segments movable by the driving system throughvariable displacements to define selected exposure apertures for a lens,comprising, in combination, a first part reciprocable through a fixeddistance; means operable to apply a driving force to said first part toreciprocate the same through said fixed distance; a second partconnected to said segmentsto displace the same, and reciprocable by saidfirst part; a drive spring biasing said second part to engage said firstpartto follow the movement of said first part; said driving force,acting through said first part, exceeding the bias force of said drivespring on said second part; and a setter cooperable with said secondpart and controlling movement of said segments.

2. A photographic shutter with a driving system, as claimed in claim 1,in which said first and second parts comprise pivotally mountedoscillatable levers; said setter including a control cam arranged in thepath of movement of said second part and limiting the extent of movementof said second part.

3. A photographic shutter with a driving system, as claimed in claim 1,including a time regulating mechanism operatively associated with saidfirst part and controlling movement of said first part; and a shuttertime setter operatively associated with said time regulating mechanismand effective on said time regulating mechanism throughout the entirerange of shutter times.

4. A photographic shutter with a driving system, as claimed in claim 1,in which said setter includes a control cam controlling opening movementof said segments in accordance with a preselected aperture value; and asecond setter secured to move with said first mentioned setter, saidsecond setter including a shutter time control cam operativelyassociated with said driving system.

5. A photographic shutter with a driving system, as claimed in claim 1,in which said setter includes a first control cam limiting openingmovement of said segments in accordance with a preselected aperturevalue; said setter including a second control cam cooperable with saiddriving system to control the shutter time setting.

6. A photographic shutter with a driving system, as claimed in claim 1,including a contact switch for electronic flash ignition; and means,operatively associated with said segments, operable to close saidcontact switch responsive to said segments defining a preselectedaperture value.

7. A photographic shutter with a driving system, as

claimed in claim 6, in which said setter includes a control cam limitingopening movement of said segments in accordance with a preselectedaperture value; said control cam forming a component of said contactswitch.

8. A photographic shutter with a driving system, as claimed in claim 7,in which said setter is mounted in an electrically insulated manner;said second part carrying a pin, constituting a switch contact,engageable with said control cam.

9. A photographic shutter with a driving system, as claimed in claim 1,in which said drive spring has a bias force such that the time requiredfor said segments to form a fully open aperture is only of the order of5 milliseconds.

1. A photographic shutter with a driving system, havingaperture-defining segments movable by the driving system throughvariable displacements to define selected exposure apertures for a lens,comprising, in combination, a first part reciprocable through a fixeddistance; means operable to apply a driving force to said first part toreciprocate the same through said fixed distance; a second partconnected to said segments to displace the same, and reciprocable bysaid first part; a drive spring biasing said second part to engage saidfirst part to follow the movement of said first part; said drivingforce, acting through said first part, exceeding the bias force of saiddrive spring on said second part; and a setter cooperable with saidsecond part and controlling movement of said segments.
 2. A photographicshutter with a driving system, as claimed in claim 1, in which saidfirst and second parts comprise pivotally mounted oscillatable levers;said setter including a control cam arranged in the path of movement ofsaid second part and limiting the extent of movement of said secondpart.
 3. A photographic shutter with a driving system, as claimed inclaim 1, including a time regulating mechanism operatively associatedwith said first part and controlling movement of said first part; and ashutter time setter operatively associated with said time regulatingmechanism and effective on said time regulating mechanism throughout theentire range of shutter times.
 4. A photographic shutter with a drivingsystem, as claimed in claim 1, in which said setter includes a controlcam controlling opening movement of said segments in accordance with apreselected aperture value; and a second setter secured to move withsaid first mentioned setter, said second setter including a shutter timecontrol cam operatively associated with said driving system.
 5. Aphotographic shutter with a driving system, as claimed in claim 1, inwhich said setter includes a first control cam limiting opening movementof said segments in accordance with a preselected aperture value; saidsetter including a second control cam cooperable with said drivingsystem to control the shutter time setting.
 6. A photographic shutterwith a driving system, as claimed in claim 1, including a contact switchfor electronic flash ignition; and means, operatively associated withsaid segments, operable to close said contact switch responsive to saidsegments defining a preselected aperture value.
 7. A photographicshutter with a driving system, as claimed in claim 6, in which saidsetter includes a control cam limiting opening movement of said segmentsin accordance with a preselected aperture value; said control camforming a component of said contact switch.
 8. A photographic shutterwith a driving system, as claimed in claim 7, in which said setter ismounted in an electrically insulated manner; said second part carrying apin, constituting a switch contact, engageable with said control cam. 9.A photographic shutter with a driving system, as claimed in claim 1, inwhich said drive spring has a bias force such that the time required forsaid segments to form a fully open aperture is only of the order of 5milliseconds.